Monday 31 December 2018

Best Holiday Destinations in India 2019


https://www.thetajtours.com/best-holiday-destinations-in-india-2019/

Best Holiday Destinations in India 2019

In Prayagraj, as the word Kumbh enters ones ears the picturesque vision of Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati flashes in the minds of people. At the sacred confluence huge multitudes move like waves in the ocean filled with sense of devotion. ‘Shahi Snaan’ of Akharas, chanting of vedic mantras and elucidations of religious hymns in the Saint pandals, proclamations of knowledge, tatvamimansa and truth by rishis, charming music, mesmerizing sound of multitudes of instruments, holy dip in sangam with utmost devotion fills the heart of devotees with immense joy and offering prayers at many divine temples exhibits the greatness of Prayagraj Kumbh. It will be held from 15th January 2019 to 4th March 2019. https://www.thetajtours.com/tour/intrinsic-north-india-tour-package/
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.Apart from Taj Mahal, one can visit Agra Fort, Sikandra, Baby Taj, Dayalbagh and Fatehapur Sikri.
Amritsar is a city in state of Punjab North West of India. At the center of its walled old town, the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the holiest gurdwara of the Sikh religion.  The other tourist places in Amritsar are Charles W. Bartlett, Amritsar (The Lake by the Golden Temple) 1920, Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Mata Lal Devi Temple, and Wagah Border
Rajasthan is the Land of the Maharajas. It is home to the chivalrous Rajputs, and its battle-scarred heritage has legacies of pride and tradition. The upper echelons of this medieval society built magnificent palaces and forts, many of which are now glorious hotels and museums. In addition, stunning handicrafts and fine arts were developed and nurtured through patronage by the maharajas. Village life remains steeped in tradition but, just like the rest of India, the pace of change is accelerating. Turbaned men still barter for decorated camels.
Travel fans can now visit to any of the natural life goals in India to watch the tigers sprawling under the sun or the transitory flying creatures originating from different parts of the world. Select the impeccably hand-made Wildlife Tour Packages that we offer to outwit natural life visit in India. The sudden perspective of imperiled types of creatures and winged animals will add appeal to your untamed life visit. We guarantee you with a magnificent untamed life visit to be valued for the duration of your life.
Varanasi or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws pilgrims who bathe in the River Ganges’ sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along its winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
It is located on the foothills of Shivaliks of Himalayan Range. In ancient scriptures Haridwar was also known as Tapovan, Mayapuri, Gangadwar and Mokshadwar. It is one of the most sacred seven cities of India. Haridwar have enormous religious significance and a key pilgrimage town for the Hindus. During Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, more than 10 millions devotees gathered at the site. Saints, priests, and yogis from all corners of India, gathered to participate in Kumbh.
It is known as the “city of a thousand temples”. The 192 feet high temple tower of Ekamabaranadhar temple and the 100-pillar mandabam (building) in Varadaraja Perumal temple in this town are famous, and are considered marvels of the architectural techniques of the Vijayanagara dynasty. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. The city is quite famous for its silk saris, considered to be one of the best varieties of silk saris.
It is a City of Djinns, and 25 million people. Like an eastern Rome, India’s capital is littered with the relics of lost empires. A succession of armies stormed across the Indo-Gangetic plain and imprinted their identity onto the vanquished city, before vanishing into rubble and ruin like the conquerors who preceded them. Modern Delhi is a chaotic tapestry of medieval fortifications, Mughal mausoleums, dusty bazaars, colonial-era town planning, and mega malls. Navigating Delhi’s seven cities (or 12, if you include British-built New Delhi and the satellite cities of Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon) is made infinitely easier by its gleaming, cheap and efficient metro.
It is also known as Vatapi in ancient India, it was once the capital of the Chalukyas who rose to power in much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the middle of the 6th century AD. Its claim to world fame lies in the magnificent rock-cut cave temples built by the Early Chalukyas who is great temple builders. The Badami temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras, displaying the secular nature of the Chalukyas of Vatapi or modern Badami. These temples are known for profusion of symbolic and mystical carvings of the highest order.
Kerala, a state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It’s known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers.
If you want to see nature’s real beauty then a visit to North East India is a must. Consisting of 7 states also called ‘Seven Sisters’ North East India has some real surprises for the travelers coming here. Not so much established on the travelers map, yet the North Eastern India, has its own charm that will sweep you off your feet. Come here for once and lose yourself in its charismatic magic.
North East India Tourism holds various tourist attractions and famous places to visit that you are going to know in this North East India Travel Info Guide.
Spectacularly jagged, arid mountains enfold this magical Buddhist ex-kingdom. Picture-perfect Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries) dramatically crown rocky outcrops amid whitewashed stupas and mani walls. Colorful fluttering prayer flags share their spiritual messages metaphorically with the mountain breeze. Prayer wheels spun clockwise release more merit-making mantras. Gompa interiors are colorfully awash with the murals and statuary of countless bodhisattvas.
Madurai is an energetic, ancient city on the Vaigai River in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its skyline is dominated by the 14 colorful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Amman Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, the Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site. Millions attend the processions and ceremonies of April’s Chithirai Festival celebrating Meenakshi and Lord Vishnu.
One of the best known and most impressive groups of cave temples is Ajanta Caves – these impressive structures form a popular tourist destination. These caves contain some of the richest collections of ancient art in region. Ajanta art inspired numerous artists of the late 19th – early 20th centuries, many people were essentially obsessed with copying Ajanta paintings, there have been written numerous books about this phenomenal achievement of humanity.
The magnificent ruins of Hampi dot an unearthly landscape that has captivated travelers for centuries. Heaps of giant boulders perch precariously over kilometers of undulating terrain, their rusty hues offset by jade-green palm groves, banana plantations and paddy fields. While it’s possible to see this World Heritage Site in a day or two, plan on lingering for a while.
The main travelers’ ghetto has traditionally been Hampi Bazaar, a village crammed with budget lodges, shops and restaurants, and towered over by the majestic Virupaksha Temple. Tranquil Virupapur Gaddi across the river has become a new popular hang-out. However, recent demolitions in both areas have seen businesses closed, with the future of Hampi bitterly contested between locals and authorities.
The Andaman Islands are an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. These roughly 300 islands are known for their palm-lined, white-sand beaches, mangroves and tropical rainforests. Coral reefs supporting marine life such as sharks and rays make for popular diving and snorkeling sites. Indigenous Andaman Islanders inhabit the more remote islands, many of which are off limits to visitors. One can also visit Havelock and Neil islands.

Wednesday 26 December 2018

Lord Curzon’s chandelier reinstalled inside Taj Mahal


Lord Curzon’s chandelier reinstalled inside Taj Mahal
A huge copper and bronze chandelier gifted by Lord Curzon in 1909 and hanging at the royal gate of the Taj Mahal fell on the ground on 19th August 2015. The chandelier was damaged and after its repair, it will be installed back to its original place inside the royal gate of Taj Mahal. This time it will be fastened by steel chains.
Curzon had gifted two chandeliers to Taj Mahal. One was installed in the central octagonal chamber enshrining the cenotaphs exactly over them in the main mausoleum. The second one was installed at the Central hall of the Southern gate. This bronze lamp was designed and built by Mayo School of Art in Lahore. It was installed in 18th February 1906.
Curzon, a stickler for details himself, had commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, which still hangs there, modeled after one in a Cairo mosque. The then viceroy visited Egypt and examined hundreds of designs before he approved the design of the lamp which had hung in the mosque of Sultan Beybars II. But after the lamp itself suddenly disappeared and anxious inquiries in several countries could not help in locating the lamp, Curzon requested the director of the Arab Museum at Cairo, to make a replica of the original lamp. After two years of labor, the bronze lamp artistically inlaid with silver and gold was made, with an inscription in Persian: “Presented to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahalby Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, 1909.
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.
https://www.thetajtours.com/lord-curzons-chandelier-reinstalled-inside-taj-mahal/

Sunday 23 December 2018

Mughal perception about Christianity


Mughal perception about Christianity
The first two Mughal Emperor Babur and Humayun were not able to establish themselves well in India. But Akbar laid a strong foundation of the Mughals that lasted till 1857. Akbar believed in the existence of all the religion in India and also paid equal respect.
Akbar was married to a Hindu, Muslim and Christian ladies, due to which he had great influence of all these religion. In 1582, Akbar started a new religion called “Dīn-i Ilāhī” which means “Religion of God”. It was a religion that intended to merge some the elements of all the religions of his empire, and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects. The elements were primarily drawn from Islam and Hinduism, but some others were also taken from Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.
Jesuit priest were invited by Emperor Akbar from Goa to learn more about Christianity. On 18th February 1580, a delegation of three Jesuit priests reached Agra for an audience with Emperor Akbar. Portuguese Fathers Rodolfe Aquauiua, Antoine de Monserrate and Francois Henriques had made the long and difficult journey from Goa to Agra. Basis historical accounts, Akbar’s curiosity about different religions had caused him to invite priests from Goa. The enthusiasm of the holy fathers was high as they felt Akbar himself would convert, which would open the entire country to conversion.
While the priests were received with respect by the emperor, he never converted. The emperor often held debates between the priests and indigenous religious scholars at court. Father Monserrate moved on, but the faith preached by these early Jesuits left behind its mark in Agra. Merchants and travelers from France, Portugal, Holland and Italy etc, flocked to the imperial capital. Conversion to Christianity among locals also took place, adding to the numbers.
Akbar learnt about Christianity and gave land to Jesuit fathers to build a Church in Agra. This was the first Roman Catholic Church in Agra. According to the historian RV Smith, the festival of Christmas would see the Emperor and his nobles come to the church in the morning, followed by ladies of the harem and young princes in the evening. It is in this period of religious experimentation that the first Nativity plays in India were staged, with Europeans playing a part within, often with the Emperor as the audience. The practices begun in Akbar’s reign continued in that of Jahangir. Gradually the play grew in scale and became better organized, with rehearsals taking place in an area called Phulatti.
After Akbar it was his son Jahangir who donated for further expansion of the Church. Khwaja Martins and Mirza Sikandar Junior too contributed for the expansion. The church was demolished by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1635, after he captured Jesuit Priests and agreed to release them only if they demolish the Church. The Church was rebuilt in 1636 by the permission of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The next blip in the life of the church came when Ahmad Shah Abdali’s troops ransacked the place. In 1769, however, it found another patron in the form of the European adventurer Walter Reinhardt, who helped to rebuild and extend the church. His wife, later known as Begum Samru, was probably baptized in this church.
Rapid increase in the congregation led to the construction of a new church in 1848. This building, standing close to Akbar’s church and dominating what is now a large complex of church buildings is the imposing Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. Possessing a Baroque exterior at its front, the cathedral from within resembles a magnified version of Akbar’s Church with the same curved ceiling effect, the difference between the two places of worship being the altar. The cathedral today serves as the seat of the Catholic establishment in Agra.
https://www.thetajtours.com/mughal-perception-about-christianity/

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Maldivian President visited Taj Mahal


Maldivian President visited Taj Mahal
Maldives’ newly-elected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday afternoon visited the 17th century Mughal monument of love, the Taj Mahal. The president, who was accompanied by his wife Fazna Ahmed, mentioned his visit as one of the most memorable one. Solih’s visit comes about a month after Modi attended his swearing-in ceremony
At the Kheria airport, he was received by district officials and UP’s Minister for Energy Kant Sharma.ASI officials who accompanied him said the President spent an hour evincing keen interest in the intricate architecture and history. For the tourists, the Taj remained closed for nearly two hours
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in New Delhi Sunday on a three-day state visit, during which he had talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen bilateral ties.
Solih, who defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September this year.  He met President Ram Nath Kovind the same day. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also met him during his visit.
Modi had said in the Maldives that he was looking forward to working closely with Solih as both the leaders expressed confidence in the renewal of the close ties and friendship between the two countries, which was briefly interrupted by political turmoil in the Indian Ocean island nation.
India had criticized Yameen’s decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days. Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.

https://www.thetajtours.com/maldivian-president-visited-taj-mahal/

Sunday 9 December 2018

Pay more to enter Taj Mahal’s main mausoleum

Pay more to enter Taj Mahal’s main mausoleum
Visitors from today, have to pay another Rs 200 to enter the main mausoleum, that has replicas of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal’s graves. This will implemented from Monday,” informed Vasant Kumar Swarnkar, superintending archaeologist, Agra circle, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). As per the recommendation of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a study on Taj’s load-bearing capacity and suggested immediate steps to reduce the number of footfalls into the mausoleum to protect its integrity.
For the domestic tourists, their overall ticket price will increase by five times (Rs 250), if they wish to visit the mausoleum. Meanwhile, foreign tourists and visitors from SAARC nations, who were already paying higher entry charges of Rs 1,100 and Rs 540, will also have to shell out Rs 200 more if they want to enter the main mausoleum, taking their overall ticket prices to Rs 1,300 and Rs 740 respectively.
However, these are inaccessible to visitors throughout the year, barring the three days of Shah Jahan’s ‘Urs’ when the way to the basement is unlocked for devotees to pay obeisance to the Mughal emperor.
Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma had a few months ago had indicated imposing such tariff saying the move aims to “preserve the Taj Mahal” and for a better crowd management. We need to preserve the Taj Mahal for the generations to come,” The Supreme Court had recently directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to submit a vision document on the preservation of the monument within four weeks.
Early this year the Indian Government restricted 40,000 visitors at Taj Mahal daily, a landmark decision was taken in order to preserve the monument from the load of visitors.
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.

Friday 7 December 2018

Visit Taj Mahal during full Moon Night December 2018

Visit Taj Mahal during full Moon Night December 2018
In the month of December 2018, the Taj Mahal will be open for the night viewing from 20th December to 24th December 2018. It is open two days before and two days after the full moon. The tickets are booked 24 hours in advance. The visitor is required to fill up a detailed form along with the copy of their passport.
Altogether, 400 tourists are permitted per night for the visit. The 400 tourists are divided into a batch of 50. There are only eight batches. The timings for the night view commences from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM according to the Indian Standard Time.
WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE TAJ MAHAL
There are certain things which are not permitted inside the Taj Mahal. Any electronic gadget apart from your camera and mobile phone, eatables, wires, any sharp article like swiss knife, nail cutter, no religious books except travel guide books, match box, lighter, cigarette, liquor, and any promotional material.
HOW TO CLICK PHOTOGRAPHS DURING NIGHT VIEWING
The night viewing is one of the most breath taking, life time experience. The Taj is not lit up by artificial lights. It is the moonlight that lit up the entire structure. The time duration per batch is only 30 minutes, so normal photography will not be possible. In order to capture the moment, first change your camera or mobile to night vision mode. And then click the photographs. Another thing is that you will not be able to take selfie.
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which is considered as the most photogenic destinations of India. It is one of the most exquisite structures ever built by any emperor. It was constructed by the fifth Mughal emperor in the fond memory of his favorite wife Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal in terms of architecture, is one of the most symmetrical structures in the world, constructed using pure white marble and adorned with precious and semi precious stones. The construction started in 1631 and got completed in 1653 AD; 20,000 workers worked day and night together for 22 years.

https://www.thetajtours.com/visit-taj-mahal-during-full-moon-night-december-2018/

Monday 26 November 2018

Golden Triangle Tour Package


Day 1 Welcome to Delhi!

You will arrive at the Delhi Airport. Delhi is India`s national capital and the second largest metropolis after Mumbai. Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region.
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.
An overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2 Exploring Delhi!

On your first day, you will explore the old and new city of Delhi. You`ll be mesmerized by the 100-feet, red-stone boundary walls of Red Fort built during the 17th century. Opposite to this ancient structure is Jama Masjid (Mosque), built in 1656 AD, construction of red sandstone and white marble. It is the largest mosque in India where 20,000 people can pray together at a time. You will also tour the city in a Rickshaw. Along the streets of old Delhi you will see the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) Memorial, which is close to the river Yamuna. Next, you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, tomb of the second Mughal emperor, which was built by his wife during the 16th century, and then you will visit Qutub Minar, a 220-feet tower made by one of the first Muslim leaders in India, built between 1199 and 1368 AD. It runs counter to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India. There you`ll also see the Government Buildings, Parliament.
An Overnight stay at Delhi.

Day 3Drive from Delhi – Agra (200 Km/ 4-5 Hrs)

In the morning, after breakfast drive to Agra. On the way, you will visit Sikandra, the amazing grave of Akbar, the most influential of all Mughal emperors. The grave lies 10 km before Agra. Agra is placed on the deposits of the Yamuna River and was under the Mughal rulers during the 16th and 17th centuries.
After arrival in Agra, transfer to hotel.
Later, you will visit Agra Fort at the west bank of the Yamuna River. The Agra fort was built in the 16th century by Akbar and was completed by his grandsons. Then, you will visit Itmad-ud-daula, also known as baby Taj. Finally you will see Taj Mahal once again, but now this time from the other side of the river, from the place called Mehtab Bagh. An overnight stay in Agra.

Day 4Taj by Sunrise and drive from Agra to Jaipur (240 km, 4.5 hours) / Visit of Fatehpur Sikri.

At sunrise, you will visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (built from 1631-1653 A.D). A poem in white marble it was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its extravagant architecture reveals its secret of being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 20,000 workers with experts from Italy, France, Iran and Asia were busied for 22 years with the monument.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After the breakfast, you will proceed to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, which is also popularly known as “Pink City” because of its pink houses` frontal façade and metropolis fence. On the way, you will visit Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is 36 km from Agra, the other large city of Akbar, built in 1569. Akbar shifted his cap to Fatehpur Sikri, but after 13 years due to the scarcity of water, it was shifted to Lahore in Pakistan and back again to Agra.
Then drive to Jaipur and upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
An overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 5Full day sightseeing of Jaipur

After an early breakfast you will drive to Fort Amber (10 km), the former capital of Kachhawaha Rajputs. On the way, you will stop to visit the city’s landmark: the
Hawa Mahal (palace of the winds). Built during the 18th century, the five-story building features 953 windows and niches from which the royal women observed the procession in the street without being seen. Next you will visit Amber fort, which lies on 400-foot-tall hill and is surrounded by the chain of mountains known as Aravalli. You will ascend the fort on an elephant back like a Maharaja. Then you will visit Albert Museum.
Afternoon you will visit the Pink city Jaipur. The City Palace , built in 1734, lies in the center of Jaipur and is now the residence of the royal family of Jaipur and a beautiful museum.
An overnight stay at Jaipur

DAY 6Half day sightseeing and Drive to Delhi

Today, after breakfast, you will visit Jantar Mantar, an observatory. It was built in the 18th century by the city founder Jai Singh II. The instruments are out of stone and marble and served to the sky observation. You will also do Rickshaw ride in the old city.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
https://www.thetajtours.com/tour/golden-triangle-tour-package/